Solid Food Transition

• At four weeks, you can start introducing canned food (they usually start showing interest in what mom is eating).  Mixing a little warm water with the canned food and placing it in a container with low sides (plate, small dish, etc.) will usually do the trick.  Expect them to walk through it too.  No one ever said kittens were neat.  After a few attempts, they will get the idea. Feed them their last meal just before bedtime.  They usually eat and then go straight to sleep. You can warm the food in the microwave for about 6 seconds.  Make sure to stir the food and test it with your finger.  Do not give hot food to kittens.

• 5-6 weeks old: three small (approximately one quarter of a three ounce can) meals of canned food per day per kitten. If that is too much food in the beginning you can adjust accordingly. Always leave plenty of dry food out for them to eat during the day.

• 6-8 weeks of age: three meals a day (about one quarter of a can) per kitten, and free feed dry food.  Always keep dry kibble out at all times for the kittens to eat.

Overfeeding can cause digestive problems.  Frequent small meals are preferred to large meals.